but as the examples are numerous, it remains undeniable that early Christian artists were not imbued with power or sentiment to render the sublime idea of the Redeemer, and that, influenced by classical types they imitated them in the features of the Saviour. A little later they strove to express something more than majesty, and in the effort they fell into an exaggerated mode of delineating human passions. They declined in the power of representing form in proportion as time enlarged the gulph between them and the great classical ages. In a group of the fourth or fifth century in the catacomb of S.S. Nero e Acliilleo representing the Virgin, child and four figures in Phrygian dress making an offering 1 this decline is not as yet very noticeable. It may be traced distinctly in a painting of the period, in the same catacomb, 2 representing the Saviour enthroned in the midst of the apostles, — in remains of figures on the lower part of the same wall busy it would seem, with the ark, — and in the good pastor amidst the shepherds and their flock, carrying the lamb on his shoul ders. Rapidity of execution had now been joined to de fective forms and absence of fit proportion. The heads were small and the bodies long. Whilst the art of Rome thus followed in its decline that of public welfare and prosperity, it went through simular phases at Naples in whose catacombs a few ex amples remain. Two life sized bust figures of S.S. Peter and Paul painted in the fourth or fifth centuries 3 prove the imitation of classical models, whilst they derive ad ditional interest from the fact that these saints had already become fixed and immutable types. In the austere features, the square head and beard, the short hair of S. Peter, in his yellow tunic, the curious inquirer may trace the original of many subsequent delineations of that apostle. In the long head, grave features and pointed beard of 1 Possibly the 4 prophets, Jere miah, Isaiah, Malaehi and Da niel. 2 S.S. Nero e Achilleo. Cappella dei Dodici Apostoli. 3 Naples catacombs. Braccio Sinistro. Seconda Sepoltura.